Review: The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo

Homicide Inspector Amaia Salazar left her small home town as soon as she was able, haunting memories from her past still loom heavily.  When the body of a teenage girl is discovered, she's called back to work on a case. It isn't long before her past becomes rushing back, overwhelming her with terrifying nightmares of her childhood.  Yet, she must push it all behind her in an attempt to solve this case now plaguing her hometown.

Her hometown is surrounded in old pagan beliefs. Her family, and the other townspeople, believe a mythical creature known as the Basajaun (the Invisible Guardian), is responsible, given the scene surrounding the body.  When other girls are found killed in a similar fashion, however, Amaia is certain a sadistic killer is responsible, one that is human, not mythical.

In fighting the demons of her past, it clears her mind to see the evil that resides right in front of her.

I’m thrilled to see that this is the first in a new series Homicide Inspector Amaia Salazar.  This novel has many of the components I look for in a good read: dynamic, flawed characters, well-developed storylines and, a bonus, a town submersed in myth and legend. Additionally, the setting is one I haven’t experienced yet before and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author portrayed it to readers. By the end of the novel, I felt as though I was there myself, her skilled writing bringing the setting alive.

Amaia is an extremely flawed, incredibly realistic character, full of her own personal drama. The reader is granted bits and pieces from her past as the novel progresses, urging us to continue on Amaia’s journey to face her childhood memories.

The author’s use of descriptive text has put off some readers, based on other reviews I have read. Personally, I adored it. It immersed me in the work, making me feel as though I was an active presence, keeping me captivated through the entirety of the text.  This can be a challenge, particularly in a thriller in which the pacing ebbs and flows. I certainly didn’t experience it in this novel, however.   I felt compelled to read it during every waking moment.  Highly, highly recommended.